Hawaii Senate Bill SCR200

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Declaring That Bullying Is A Matter Of Statewide Concern; Requesting The Department Of Education To Update Its Rules And Policies To Address Bullying; And Requesting The Hawaii State Council On Developmental Disabilities To Convene A Task Force To Address The Bullying Of Disabled Children.

Impact

The resolution aims to impact state law by prohibiting all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, and instituting a no-tolerance policy in Hawaii's public schools. The proposed updates to policies are intended to enhance protections for students, provide mandatory systematic training for staff, and ensure that the response to bullying incidents is uniform across all schools. The task force is expected to recommend measures to improve mental health resources and integrate social-emotional learning into public education.

Summary

SCR200 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from Hawaii that declares bullying to be a matter of statewide concern. It emphasizes the necessity for the Department of Education to revise its policies and rules to better address bullying, particularly the bullying of disabled children. The resolution also calls for the formation of a task force by the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to assess strategies to combat bullying across schools and to propose updates to existing regulations to ensure a safe environment for all students, especially those with disabilities. This resolution acknowledges the broad and detrimental effects of bullying on children's mental health and education outcomes.

Contention

While the resolution has positive implications for improving the safety and well-being of children in schools, it could also face criticism regarding the implementation of its provisions. Some concerns may arise about the effectiveness of the proposed no-tolerance policies and the potential for non-punitive disciplinary actions for bullies. Critics may argue that without appropriate measures for behavior correction and support, the initiatives might not fully address the root causes of bullying. Furthermore, the requirement for mandatory staff training may encounter logistical challenges and resource constraints which can affect its successful execution.